The Hottest-Selling Vehicles That Are Flying Off Dealer Lots in 2017

Americans couldn’t get enough new cars in 2016. With 17.6 million sold last year, it was a new record, just edging out 2015. Which beat 2014, which beat 2013, which… well, you get the idea. Since 2010, buyers have been scooping up new cars like never before, leading to unprecedented boom times in the industry.

In 2017 however, it seems like the magic is fading fast. Manufacturers needed to inflate the market with incentives to set the record at the end of last year, and with sales down overall, it looks like this year will see a leveling off of the market, if not a noticeable step back.

That doesn’t mean the good times still aren’t rolling at car dealerships. First of all, a number of models are slated to be replaced or updated for 2018, which means dealers will be eager to make deals on outgoing models. Secondly, a sea change in the type of vehicles buyers want is making for some very interesting buying patterns. So based on the most up-to-date numbers provided by Good Car Bad Car, here are the 12 models dealers can’t keep on the lots in 2017.

12. Nissan Altima

2017 Nissan Altima | Nissan

Sales of Nissan’s midsize sedan have exploded over the past few years, and 2017 is proving to be no exception. The Altima is a handsome, reliable, comfortable family car, and starting at $22,500, it offers a lot for the price. Compared to 2016, numbers are down a significant 16.9%, but the Altima is still selling like hotcakes. Nissan has sold 118,242 of them through May.

Next: the first crossover on our list is the only American model from its segment.

11. Ford Escape

2017 Ford Escape | Ford

Crossovers are rapidly taking the place of sedans on the highways, and the Escape is the most popular crossover offered by an American automaker. Starting at just over $23K, the Escape can be had in everything from stripped-down people mover, to near-luxury model. Despite the cooling market, numbers are actually up 2.7% over last year. To date, Ford has sold 129,805 of them.

Next: a best-seller list wouldn’t be the same without this long-standing nameplate.

10. Honda Accord

2017 Honda Accord Hybrid | James Derek Sapienza/Autos Cheat Sheet

A stalwart of the best-selling list, the Honda Accord offers exceptional value for the price. Starting at $22,455, the Accord offers a number of safety and convenience features standard. And with several engines, transmissions, a coupe body style, and luxury options available throughout the range, the Accord can be all things to all people. So far sales are down 7.3% this year, but the Honda has still moved 130,300 of their mid-sizer this year, good enough for the 10 spot on this list.

Next: Honda continues to prove its popularity.

9. Honda Civic

Honda Civic Sport Hatchback | Micah Wright/Autos Cheat Sheet

Just ahead of the Accord lies the venerable Civic. The popular compact benefitted from an angular and modern redesign for 2016, and it looks like the updates have paid off. Budget-minded buyers love that the safe, reliable, and economical Civic starts at just $18,740, and performance-minded buyers are counting down the days until the red-hot Civic Type-R reaches dealerships. Like the Accord, Civic numbers are down this year; some 8.3%. But with 144,854 units sold through May, it’s still riding pretty high.

Next: The Civic’s main competitor edges it out on this list.

8. Toyota Corolla family

Toyota Corolla SE | Micah Wright/Autos Cheat Sheet

For the first time in years, the compact Corolla has a family. With the shuttering of Scion last year, Toyota moved the iM five-door hatch into the Corolla line. Together, they make quite a splash — though even without the new iM, the Corolla sedan alone would rank 10th on this list. So far, Toyota has sold 145,476 Corollas, down 8.4% from last year.

Next: This model is becoming the ghost of best-sellers past.

7. Toyota Camry

2017 Toyota Camry | Toyota

While midsize sedans used to rule lists like these, the Toyota Camry represents the segment’s high-water mark here. With an all-new model on the way for 2018, Toyota dealers are eager to move ’17s off the lot, meaning that you could probably buy a lot of car for the Camry’s $23K base price right now. Car buyers are responding too; despite sales numbers being down 11.8% over last year, Toyota has still moved 147,434 cars through May.

Next: It’s still a Toyota, but this model represents what modern car buyers really want.

6. Toyota Rav4

RAV4 is among the safest SUVS when equipped with LED headlights. | Toyota

And here’s where the new breed comes in. At a time when car sales are seeing their numbers shrink, the Rav4 is enjoying a renaissance, with sales up 8.7% over last year. Buyers love the compact crossover’s reputation for safety, reliability, and (starting at $24,410) value. Through May, Toyota has sold 150,646 units.

Next: Honda strikes back against its biggest rival.

5. Honda CR-V

2017 Honda CR-V | Honda

The Rav4’s chief competitor is the Honda CR-V, and so far, it’s got Toyota beat in the court of public perception. Not only is the CR-4 slightly cheaper than its rival (starting at $24,045), but it’s also enjoying a massive burst of popularity, with sales numbers up an astonishing 22.8% over last year. Honda has moved 158.914 CR-Vs so far this year.

Next: This crossover has become an overnight sensation.

4. Nissan Rogue

2017 Nissan Rogue SL (AWD) | Micah Wright/Autos Cheat Sheet

While the CR-V and Rav4 are veterans in the crossover segment, the newer Rogue is arguably the success story of the entire list. Starting at $24,420, Nissan’s crossover offers an impressive number of standard features, attractive financing offers, and a good safety record. That’s all contributed to an incredible 34.9% jump in popularity over the past year, with 161,340 Rogues sold through May.

Next: America reaffirms its love for full-size pickups.

3. Ram Pickups

2017 Ram 1500| Ram

We now enter the Overlook Hotel portion of the list, where the top three have always been here. The third spot is owned by Ram pickups, which are older than their rivals, but can boast the best towing in their class. Starting at $26,495 for a base Ram 1500, and going well past the $60K mark for heavy duty and luxury models, the Ram offers one of the most versatile truck lineups on the market. So far, 2017 has been good to Ram; with 207,370 trucks sold through may, numbers are up 7.9% on the year.

Next: Despite sales being down, this model hangs on to the number two spot.

2. Chevrolet Silverado

2017 Chevrolet Silverado | General Motors

Unlike Ram, Chevrolet’s best-selling Silverado is having a down year, with numbers down 5.2% for 2017. Still, with 212,425 trucks sold so far, it’s still comfortably positioned as the second best-selling vehicle in the U.S. Silverado 1500s start at $27,785, though Chevy is currently offering some aggressive incentives to boost those sales.

Next: Who says America doesn’t have a king? This truck has been reigning supreme for 40 years.

1. Ford F-Series

2017 Ford F-150 | Ford

This generation Ford F-Series will always be remembered for its bold and innovative jump to aluminum intensive construction. And while Chevy and Ram hoped the move would turn buyers off, just the opposite has happened. Despite a comprehensive facelift coming for 2018 models, the $27,110-and-up F-Series is still flying off the dealer lots. With 351,965 sold through May, Ford is enjoying an 8.5% sales increase. Even if the market continues to cool, don’t expect Ford to give up the top spot anytime soon.